EU states will vote to decide if neonicotinoid pesticides should be banned from use, as they are believed to be causing the death of honeybees, reports BBC News.
After fierce protests against the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which are linked to the death of honeybees in a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder, EU will vote Monday to decide on the ban or severe restriction of three neonicotinoids. Last month, the proposal of a two-year suspension on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides was not heavily supported. In the previous EU voting, 13 countries were in favor of the decision, nine countries were against it, while five withheld their decision, including Germany and the U.K.
The three neonicotinoids which are believed to be harmful for the survival of the bees are clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam. Several protests were called to support the restriction of the use of these neonicotinoids, but agricultural organizations said that the ban will incur heavy losses to farmers.
These neonicotinoid pesticides have widely been in use since the 1990s for their effectiveness in protecting crop seeds such as maize (corn) and soya beans from insect pests. But accumulative research has said that it is affecting pollinating honeybees and bumblebees in carrying the pollen in their nectar and returning to their hives to reproduce.
According to the BBC news report, scientists have said that honeybees are accountable for pollinating one-third of the world's crop production. A January report from European Food Safety Agency said that the pesticides had an adverse effect on pollinators, which include honeybees.
Pesticides manufacturing companies have stood firm against the ban, based on the data provided, which they call inconclusive. These companies fear that the ban may lead to a shortage in food production.
In support of the manufacturing industries, the U.K. government said that the ban cannot be implied based on the current evidence.
If the EU votes fall in favor of the moratorium, it would mean that the sale and use of the seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides will be prohibited, but with certain exception to those plants which do not attract honeybees, such as winter cereals.
